Norbert Mao, the minister for Justice, has blamed politicians, not the Electoral Commission, for the malaise in Uganda’s electoral processes including elections.
Mao speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed commissioners said some politicians simply don’t want to concede defeat, creating a culture of violence and extremism.
Mao urged the government to instill a new civil culture and combat extremism.
Before he joined government, Mao, who serves as DP president general, was vociferous in his criticism of the EC.
When the EC rejected his nomination for the Gulu Municipality seat in 2015 because his name was missing on the register, Mao told journalists that the electoral body was “prejudiced, biased and discriminatory.”
Opposition big wigs like Dr Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi have often described the EC as Museveni’s walking stick.
Byabakama is back
Simon Mugenyi Byabakama was sworn in as chairman of the Electoral Commission for the second and final term in office.
A former supreme court judge, Byabakama took office in January 2017. According to the law, EC commissioners can only serve a maximum of two terms, each spanning seven years.
Like his predecessor, Dr Badru Kiggundu, Byabakama has been criticized by the opposition for giving the NRM a wide berth.
At the swearing-in ceremony he assured that the 2026 elections will be free and fair.
Byabakama was sworn in alongside six other commissioners. They include his deputy, Hajjati Aisha Lubega, Steven Tashobya, Dr. Sallie Simba Kayunga, Anthony Okello, Caroline Bainemaryo, and James Peter Emorut.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo urged the commissioners to always uphold the law in the esecution of their duties.